If South Carolina State is casting itself as “Goliath” in Saturday’s game against Benedict College, it’s getting no argument from the opposition.

In fact, the Division II Tigers and head coach Stan Conner seem more than willing to embrace the “David” role. When asked Tuesday how long he was studying film on the Bulldogs, Conner gave a “how long is the day” kind of laugh.

Even watching S.C. State’s offense struggle against Football Bowl Subdivision foe Central Florida didn’t give Conner encouragement for his defense which shut down Morehouse College in a 7-3 victory this past Saturday in the Palmetto Capitol City Classic.

“It’s no way that you would say Benedict is the better team, so we’ll definitely be considered the underdog just by numbers,” Conner said. “That team (S.C. State) is full of Division I players.”

Much like South Carolina State was against Central Florida, Benedict is in the position of facing a program in a higher classification with more high-level talent. Recent history has also worked against the Tigers as they have lost the past three meetings against S.C. State by an average of 43.3 points.

If Benedict is to earn its first victory in the series since 1961, Conner said it must avoid committing turnovers, score points and hope what he sees as a “sleeping giant” -- the Bulldogs’ offense -- does not awake.

“It’s just a matter of time before the offense to get things going,”

he said. “I just hope it doesn’t happen this week.”

Looking to slow down the Bulldogs’ offense is a Tiger defense which limited Morehouse to 157 total yards and sacked its quarterback five times. Leading the way was linebacker Harry Sneed with eight tackles, while James Graham had two sacks.

Last season, the Tigers allowed an average of 328.9 total yards per game and 24.9 points per game in finishing 2-9 overall, 1-6 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Against S.C. State, Conner believes his team will have to play even better.

“We need 10 sacks,” he said. “We need all the help that we can get. I think they’ve got a pretty talented quarterback (Malcolm Long). I think he has a big arm. (Central Florida) was his first game. It’s misleading because he was playing ... Central Florida was one of the top programs in the country last year. They played in a bowl game (the Liberty Bowl).

Sometimes, when you play an opponent like that, it’s not indicative of your talent. Make no mistake about it, South Carolina State is a very talented team.”

Offensively, Conner is utilizing a quarterback by committee

approach. Reigning SIAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week quarterback Kevin Reese had 146 total yards of offense and accounted for the game’s lone touchdown against Morehouse. After the score, he did not see further action and his backups - Robert Reese and Robert Spence - combined to throw just two passes the rest of the way.

“Each one has their own pluses and minuses so to speak,” Connor said.

“We try to have very explosive kids at that position. But also, we need to be able to throw the ball as well. So, each one has their own throwing ability. One is better than the other. Anytime you go into any game, you’ve got to expect that you’re going to play and that’s how we practice.”

The key for Benedict’s offense will be the play upfront of its offensive line, spearheaded by senior standout Stanley Wright. At 6-3, 350 pounds, the Holly Hill-Roberts graduate can play anywhere on the offensive line and will be motivated by the prospect of possibly impressing NFL scouts playing against competition in a higher classification.

“If (NFL scouts ) come into my office and they want to evaluate Stanley Wright, they’re going to ask for the South Carolina State,” Conner said. “They’re not going to ask for Morehouse even though they have some pro prospects. They’re not going to ask for Miles. They want to know how does he perform against top talent, so the first film they’re going to ask for is South Carolina State.”

T&D Sports Writer Thomas Grant can be reached via e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Check out his blog, Following the Bulldogs, at ww.wthetandd.com.

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